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In New Artland, TVNZ 7’s crazily ambitious art series, thirteen leading artists have been handpicked to create incredible new works of art with the help of Kiwi communities.

Presenter Chris Knox follows the action and the results are surprising, inspiring and epic. Filmed from West Auckland to Central Otago, this new series of New Artland involves the artworks of farmers, flying squads, orchestras, graffiti artists, schoolkids, tattooists, knitters, BMX riders, snowballs and Westies.

In this episode of New Artland, expert knitting and crochet artist Jacquelyn Greenbank has designs on Christchurch’s Cathedral Square. For the centre of the ‘Garden City’ she’s unimpressed that it is a grey, uninviting space. This could all change, if she can find enough knitters to help her transform the square into a woolly woodland scene.

If you have missed an episode check your guide for extra opportunities to view. Full episodes of New Artland will also be available free online after the show has aired on TVNZ 7. Go to tvnz.co.nz/newartland and click on the ‘watch episode’ button.

Famous and not-so-famous New Zealanders talking, not about what it is that makes them famous, but what it is that makes them tick – that’s the trick with Talk Talk, a glamorous-looking interview series presented by Finlay Macdonald.

With one key guest on each half-hour show, Talk Talk will go in deep, interviewing the person in the answer chair for almost 20 minutes before ending the show with a performance from a New Zealand group or musician chosen by Talk Talk’s feature guest.

This week on Talk Talk, presenter Finlay Macdonald talks to Sam Hunt, a well-known poet and performer. The show will end with a performance by David Kilgour & the Heavy Eights.

If you have missed an episode, check your guide for extra opportunities to view. Full episodes of Talk Talk will also be available free online after the show has aired on TVNZ 7. Go to tvnz.co.nz/talktalk and click on the ‘watch episode’ button.

It’s an organisation with 100,000 troops at its command. It has peacekeepers in 17 countries. But how safe is the world in the hands of the United Nations?

Over the past decade the United Nations has become as well known for corruption and sleaze as it is for the good work it does around the world.

In a journey that takes us to the blood-soaked goldfields of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the corridors of UN power in New York, this documentary investigates how much corruption is being unearthed by the UN’s anticorruption taskforce and asks whether the UN is up to policing itself.

The film centres on the allegation that the UN has covered up claims that its troops in Democratic Republic of Congo gave arms to militias and smuggled gold and ivory. The allegations, based on confidential UN sources, involve Pakistani and Indian troops working as peacekeepers.

The UN looked into the allegations concerning the Pakistani troops in 2007. But the UN decided that there was not enough evidence to back up the claim that Pakistani peacekeepers supplied weapons or ammunition to the militia.

UN Mission Impossible travels to Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate rumours that a local militia, the FNI, have been re-armed with supplies from a UN camp.

Two FNI leaders known as “Kung-fu” and “Dragon”, who have been jailed in the capital, Kinshasa, have stated publicly that they received help from the UN.

What a Waste is a five-part documentary series that evaluates different methods used to conserve energy across the globe and whether such solutions are working.

What is the greenest car? How can we build energy efficient homes and offices? And how can we effectively harness the power of the sun and wind?

To answer all these questions What a Waste travels to China, the U.S, South America and Europe in search of the best energy saving strategies and to pick the brains of the world’s experts.

Modern buildings must play their part as the world struggles with the growing demand for power and energy. We travel to Singapore, the U.S. and Germany to look at some of the most efficient buildings on the planet.

In New Artland, TVNZ 7’s crazily ambitious art series, thirteen leading artists have been handpicked to create incredible new works of art with the help of Kiwi communities.

Presenter Chris Knox follows the action and the results are surprising, inspiring and epic. Filmed from West Auckland to Central Otago, this new series of New Artland involves the artworks of farmers, flying squads, orchestras, graffiti artists, schoolkids, tattooists, knitters, BMX riders, snowballs and Westies.

In this episode of New Artland, Painter Karl Maughan, best known for his huge and vibrant paintings of Rhododendron trees, wants to stamp his iconic style upon his former high school in Palmerston North. His canvas? An entire classroom block. It’s off to the Principal’s office we go!

If you have missed an episode check your guide for extra opportunities to view. Full episodes of New Artland will also be available free online after the show has aired on TVNZ 7. Go to tvnz.co.nz/newartland and click on the ‘watch episode’ button.

Famous and not-so-famous New Zealanders talking, not about what it is that makes them famous, but what it is that makes them tick – that’s the trick with Talk Talk, a glamorous-looking interview series presented by Finlay Macdonald.

With one key guest on each half-hour show, Talk Talk will go in deep, interviewing the person in the answer chair for almost 20 minutes before ending the show with a performance from a New Zealand group or musician chosen by Talk Talk’s feature guest.

This week on Talk Talk, presenter Finlay Macdonald talks to Mai Chen, a prominent constitutional lawyer in Wellington. The show will end with a performance by Mai Chen’s group of choice, The Tasman String Quartet.

If you have missed an episode, check your guide for extra opportunities to view. Full episodes of Talk Talk will also be available free online after the show has aired on TVNZ 7. Go to tvnz.co.nz/talktalk and click on the ‘watch episode’ button.

In Monday night’s Back Benches: The Super City Special, several of the MPs weighed in on who they think should be the new Super City Mayor. When asked by Wallace Chapman who they would endorse for the Super City Mayor, each of the panellists certainly had something to say.

As an MP for Northland, National’s John Carter said it’s not his place to endorse. But other MPs were not so reluctant.

“I endorse someone who’s had the experience. Someone who understands the makeup of the Auckland people. And that’s got to be Len Brown,” said Dr Pita Sharples, co-leader of the Maori Party.

Labour MP and spokesman for Auckland issues, Phil Twyford, was reluctant at first.

“I don’t think it’s for politicians in Wellington to be telling Aucklanders who they should vote for. John Key did that when he endorsed John Banks,” said Twyford.

But when pressed, Twyford offered his opinion. “On a personal level, I’ve met Len Brown. I’ve seen him at work and I think Len Brown’s the man”

There was no hesitation for Sue Bradford, “No question, Len Brown.”

However, ACT Co-Leader and Minister of Local Government, Rodney Hide, would not be swayed. When asked who he was going to endorse for Super Mayor said, “none of them!”

If you missed this episode of Back Benches, a repeat screening is scheduled for this evening at 9.10pm on TVNZ 7. The show is also available at www.tvnz.co.nz/backbenches.

Panel Confirmed for Back Benches Super City Special Monday 14 September, 9.10pm

Back Benches is back in Auckland, filming live from the Northern Steamship bar on Monday 14 September, this time providing insight into the issues surrounding the Super City and how it will impact Auckland.

Auckland is at a crossroads, and the city is critical to New Zealand’s future. The Super City plan will be one of the most significant changes in how the city is managed, but will it help solve Auckland’s problems and put Auckland on a path to prosperity?

Topics up for discussion are the Maori seats, what the city is going to look like under the proposed changes, the submissions, and the power of the Super Mayor.

With most of the Mayors also confirmed to attend on the evening this should make for a lively debate.

“I’ve got to say I’m excited to be hosting the Super City special!” says host, Wallace Chapman. “I was born at National Women’s in Greenlane, raised in Manurewa, flatted in Mt Eden and Ponsonby, and now a proud ratepayer in Waterview – so I’m a thoroughbred Jafa.”

“To me there’s no better city, so to do an hour long show dedicated to the subject, well, it’s a blast. And I’m thrilled with the star lineup of guests we’ve managed to pull together.”

Watch it live, or come along to the Northern Steamship Bar and join in! Anyone who attended the Back Benches Mt Albert by-election special, live from the Neighbourhood bar, will know that these specials are exciting, energetic events so you’ll need to get in early [7.30pm] to secure your spot.

Please note this Monday 9.10pm time differs from Back Benches’ normal slot, but will replay at the usual Wednesday 9.10pm.

Back Benches is back in Auckland, filming live from the Northern Steamship bar on Monday 14 September, this time providing insight into the issues surrounding the Super City and how it will impact Auckland.

Auckland is at a crossroads, and the city is critical to New Zealand’s future. The Super City plan will be one of the most significant changes in how the city is managed, but will it help solve Auckland’s problems and put Auckland on a path to prosperity?

Topics up for discussion are the Maori seats, what the city is going to look like under the proposed changes, the submissions, and the power of the Super Mayor.

With most of the Mayors also confirmed to attend on the evening this should make for a lively debate.

“I’ve got to say I’m excited to be hosting the Super City special!” says host, Wallace Chapman. “I was born at National Women’s in Greenlane, raised in Manurewa, flatted in Mt Eden and Ponsonby, and now a proud ratepayer in Waterview – so I’m a thoroughbred Jafa.”

“To me there’s no better city, so to do an hour long show dedicated to the subject, well, it’s a blast. And I’m thrilled with the star lineup of guests we’ve managed to pull together.”

Watch it live, or come along to the Northern Steamship Bar and join in! Anyone who attended the Back Benches Mt Albert by-election special, live from the Neighbourhood bar, will know that these specials are exciting, energetic events so you’ll need to get in early [7.30pm] to secure your spot.

Please note this Monday 9.10pm time differs from Back Benches’ normal slot, but will replay at the usual Wednesday 9.10pm.

If you have missed an episode, check your guide for extra opportunities to view. Full episodes of Back Benches will also be available free online after the show has aired on TVNZ 7. Go to tvnz.co.nz/backbenches and click the ‘watch episode’ button.